Packing List For Cambodia 2025

Here’s a detailed packing list for Cambodia to help you remember everything you need to bring to fully enjoy exploring this amazing country.

Bayon, Angkor, Geese

Cambodia is rapidly developing and is now a mainstream tourism destination, meaning it’s getting ever easier to go there and travel around. In Siem Reap, the town nearest the Angkor temples, and Phnom Penh, the country’s capital, there’s plenty of places to shop for supplies. Elsewhere in the country it’s slim pickings so it’s wise to bring everything you need.

Preparing For Your Trip To Cambodia

• Make sure your passport has at least 6 months validity, and at least one blank page.
• Check what type of visa you need for Cambodia. Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Siem Reap or Phnom Penh airports for $20 USD – you’ll need a passport photo too. I wrote about getting a visa on arrival at Siem Reap airport.
• Check what vaccinations you need for Cambodia – see the FitForTravel website for vaccination recommendations – and get them at least 6 weeks before you depart.
• If you need prescription medicines, visit your doctor and get enough to keep you well supplied during your trip.
• If you haven’t done so already, compare the prices and timings of flights to Cambodia between all major airlines on Skyscanner. The two main airports are Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
• Make sure you book at least your first couple of nights accommodation in Cambodia before you arrive. Booking.com has a wide selection of hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh for all budgets.
• Activities – Pre-planning some activities can be a great way to make the best use of your travel time. GetYourGuide has plenty of inspiring options. Many include the option to cancel, if your plans change, and you can read real reviews to find out exactly what to expect.

Can I Use My Mobile Phone In Cambodia?

Staying connected is essential whilst travelling to Cambodia, but the roaming charges offered by your provider are likely to be prohibitive. An eSIM is increasingly the most convenient option, allowing you to activate a mobile plan without needing a physical SIM. Most contemporary smartphones have the facility built-in and the set-up is reasonably straightforward.

Providers like Revolut offer eSIM plans for Cambodia or you can pre-purchase a eSIM for South-East Asia via Klook and have everything set up for when you arrive in Cambodia. The site has full instructions and a detailed list of supported devices. eSIMs are generally data only, but you can use WhatsApp or similar to make calls. Wi-Fi calling is sometimes available.

Alternatively, you can buy a physical SIM from one of the main network providers:

• Cellcard: Known for its strong coverage in urban areas and relatively fast 4G speeds,
• Metfone: Offers the widest coverage, particularly in rural regions,
• Smart: Provides good 4G coverage and often has competitive data packages.

Tourist SIM card packages are readily available, offering affordable data and call options. You can buy these at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap airport, local phone shops, or official carrier stores. Bring your passport for registration and make sure your phone is fully unlocked before you leave home!

Data can end up being expensive for travellers, so download maps for offline use before you arrive and take full advantage of free Wi-Fi whenever you can. This is available in many hotels, restaurants, and cafes, but its reliability can vary.

Travel Insurance For Cambodia

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

What Do You Need To Pack For Cambodia?

What Clothes To Pack For Cambodia

Cambodia is hot all year round, even in rainy season – the heat and the humidity combine to make most tourists sweat a lot.

• T-Shirts, Tops, Trousers And Shorts To Pack – Traditionally linen or cotton was the way to beat the heat but nowadays synthetic materials like those used by Under Armour and similar sport brands are more effective at keeping you cool. Cotton and linen retain moisture as you sweat making the material damp and heavy – whereas synthetics wick the moisture away so remain feeling dry. Or, at least, less sweaty.
• What Underwear To Pack – As well as Under Armour t-shirts and tops, I recommend investing in Under Armour underwear. Long boxer shorts for men and sports bras and panties for women keep sensitive areas cool and avoids chafing which can be extremely painful by the end of a day’s exploring. I’d also suggest keeping some KY Jelly or other water-based lubricant handy to put on your sensitive skin areas to avoid the chafing when you’re doing a lot of walking or other exercise. I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it will save you a lot of pain.
• Hoodie – It might sound crazy to bring a hoodie to a tropical country but it’s perfect for keeping you warm on flights and doubles as a pillow and / or blanket. Plus it’s useful to keep you dry and warm if there’s rain.
• Rain Jacket – A lightweight foldaway rain jacket is worth stashing in your bag for the same reason.
• Loose Fitting Long-Sleeved Tops, Trousers And Long Skirts – Covering up in a hot climate might sound mad, but it’s great protection against the sun and mozzies. It’s worth having at least one baggy, long-sleeved top and trousers to wear. If you’re wearing decent underwear you won’t get too hot.
• Comfortable Walking Shoes – Cambodia is home to ancient temples (like Angkor Wat), markets, and natural attractions, all of which require a fair amount of walking. Comfortable, supportive shoes are essential for exploring these sites, particularly in hot and humid conditions. Closed-toe shoes are also important for visiting temples to protect your feet from rough or hot surfaces.
• Bandana – A bandana (or scarf) can be useful for covering your head to shield from the sun, or for use as a face mask to protect against dust when traveling by car or boat. It can also come in handy when visiting temples, as you may need to cover your shoulders or hair.

Health And Grooming Items To Pack For Cambodia

A well-stocked toiletry bag can make all the difference to how much you enjoy your trip to Cambodia or anywhere else. Upset stomachs, allergies, cuts and scratches, skin rashes, sunburn – all these minor ailments can really take the edge off your holiday enjoyment if they’re not treated immediately.

• Travel First Aid Kit – A small, well-designed first aid kit with plasters and disinfectant means you can quickly treat cuts and scratches and stop them getting infected.
• Sunscreen – Generously apply sunscreen morning and afternoon and use at least SPF 30. The Cambodian sun is brutal, especially after 10am. Wear a hat and cover up when possible. Apply first thing in the morning and first thing in the afternoon.
• Mosquito Repellent – As well as sunscreen, a good squirt of mozzie repellent is another essential each morning. If you’re enjoying sundowners sitting outside on a verandah or similar, make sure you’ve liberally applied repellent before you go out, or covered up completely, as mozzies love the dusk. It’s really worth paying attention to this as living with itchy mozzie bites can be miserable. Prevention is most definitely better than cure.
• Mosquito Net – While many hotels provide them, it’s a good idea to carry a mosquito net if you’re staying in rural areas or budget accommodation. This will provide extra protection from mosquitoes, especially if you’re sleeping in areas that are not fully enclosed or air-conditioned.
• Stay Hydrated – Dehydration is the number one cause of people feeling crappy. Many people are dehydrated before they even go on holiday, and a tropical country like Cambodia with heat and humidity will quickly increase that. Remember to drink at least 2 litres of bottled water a day, and drink before you feel thirsty. Bottled water is readily available in Cambodia. If you’re planning an extended hike around the temples, a dedicated Camelbak hydration pack or similar may be worthwhile.
• Hand Sanitiser – Hand sanitiser is always useful just in case you can’t wash your hands at a particular moment.
• Diarrhoea Tablets – Imodium or similar is good for temporarily stabilising your system. Diarrhoea is usually caused by a big change in what you’re eating rather than actual food poisoning. Remember to drink a lot of water and seek medical advice if it doesn’t clear up after a couple of days.
• Indigestion Medicine – Gaviscon is my go-to for curing heartburn or similar, if drinking soda water and having a good burp doesn’t clear it up first. Gaviscon is particularly useful in its individual sachets – perfect for keeping in your day bag.
• Well-Designed Toiletry Bag – Get a bag with compartments to make everything easy to organise and access. Magic2Door is a good example.
• Quick Drying Towel – A lightweight, small foldaway is an essential item in any backpack. It ensures you can dry off in any situation and also doubles as a makeshift blanket or head wrap to protect from the sun.
• Toilet Paper – Many public restrooms in Cambodia don’t always provide toilet paper, so it’s a good idea to carry a small pack of tissues or toilet paper in your bag. This will help ensure you’re prepared when necessary. the ingenious Campers Toilet Paper is a great portable solution. Hand sanitiser is also useful.
• Condoms – Holiday romance might blossom. Be prepared, always have protected sex and make sure you take care of yourself and your partner. Condoms also make handy novelty balloons or water bombs. So I’m told.

Electronic Devices To Pack For Cambodia

In addition to the SIM card information above, here are some other electronics items to consider when travelling to Cambodia:

• Waterproof Phone Case – Get a waterproof pack for your phone or tablet to keep them protected on the beach and from downpours of rain. Water, sand and electronics do not mix!
• Shockproof Phone Case – Also consider a shock-absorbing case for your phone or tablet, even if it obscures its graceful thin curves. You want a case that can safely protect the phone from being dropped on tiled floors and the like – the Otterbox range has saved my phone from several heart-stopping fumbles.
• Laptop Cover – If you’re travelling with a laptop, get a padded cover for it to keep it protected when not in use. Ensure you have a universal charger that has surge protection – it is not a myth that you can fry your computer due to power surges. Also invest in a decent daypack to make it comfortable to carry your laptop and keep a plastic bag within the pack to wrap your laptop in if it starts to rain. Most bags are NOT waterproof so don’t take the risk.
• Power Bank – Ensure you have power for your phone while you’re out and about by getting a power bank – there are some very slim, lightweight, inexpensive models these days. Remember that taking photos and using Google Maps burns battery quickly.
• Make sure you remember your phone charger!
• Universal Plug Adaptor – Cambodia uses a variety of plug types, including A, C, and G, with a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. You’ll need a Universal plug adaptor, preferably with surge protection. Cambodia uses 3 types of plug – 2-pin flat blade, 2-pin circular and the 3-pin plug, so an adapter is essential as you’ll never know what kind of plug socket you’re going to get.
• Torch – Your phone also doubles as a torch with the flashlight function, but it’s wise to carry a tiny but super powerful torch on your keyring like the Nitecore Tube for better visibility both for you to see and to be seen by oncoming traffic, etc. A personal security alarm that’s small but makes a huge noise is a good source of reassurance.

Special Items For Specific Activities

• Cambodian Phrasebook – Khmer is the main language used in Cambodia, considered a difficult language for English speakers to get a handle on. You’ll find English spoken in many tourist situations, especially by young Cambodians, but you may well hit language barriers in some circumstances. It helps to learn some key phrases and have a Cambodian Phrasebook to hand, so you can at least point to what you’re trying to express.
• Journal – I have a meticulously detailed journal from my 2007 trip to Cambodia, full of vivid drawings and notes. Anything will do, but I have a weakness for Leuchtturm1917 journals. They are not cheap but the small details make all the difference.

Other Documents To Prepare For A Visit To Cambodia

• Document Scans – Take photos of your passport, credit cards, insurance information, and any other documents, then save them as JPEGs to your online email account like Gmail. This way, you have copies available through your phone or anywhere with an internet connection. Also keep a list on your phone and in your email account of the details of crucial contacts, such as banks, that you may need to get in touch with.
• Student Card – If you’re a student (or under 30 or a teacher), get an International Student Identity Card. This may entitle you to discounts, including guidebooks, STA travel, and cheap entry.
• Driving Licence – You’ll need to bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you want to drive a vehicle with an engine over 125cc while in Cambodia. Make sure your insurance covers driving as well.

Luggage For A Visit To Cambodia

• Backpack – If you’re backpacking in Cambodia, investing in a well-made backpack like Osprey will mean all the difference, making it easy to carry everything with you and not destroy your back in the process. You’ll need a daypack for when you’ve found somewhere to put the big bag down.
• Suitcase – If you’re doing a trip where you’re being met at the airport and are generally being chauffeured around, (e.g., flying in simply to see Angkor) then standard luggage is fine. A daypack is still essential.
• Packing Cubes – Whatever type of luggage you choose, packing cubes are an invaluable way of keeping things organised and locating items easily without having to unpack everything.
• Waterproof Bag – Cambodia can experience heavy rainfall, especially during the rainy season (May to October). A dry bag or some other waterproof layer will protect your electronics, documents, and other valuables from getting wet in case of sudden downpours. Ziplock bags are a cheaper option.
• Travel Wallet – As with anywhere in the world, split your money so it’s in more than one place on your person. A travel wallet worn around the neck is a good way of stashing away valuables and then keep small bills and change in your pockets or a bum bag.
• Luggage Locks – Inexpensive and worth having to keep anything going missing from your checked-in luggage while in transit. If you’re going in and out of the USA, you’ll need TSA-approved luggage locks.

Money For Visiting Cambodia

• The official currency of Cambodia is the riel (KHR), which is pegged at a value to the US dollar. The rate fluctuates on a daily basis, but a general conversion rate of 4000:1 is accepted throughout Cambodia.
• Cambodia has an unofficial dual-currency system. Although the riel is used for small purchases (for example, you’ll normally receive riel as change at restaurants and convenience stores), the vast majority of normal-sized transactions are made in US dollars.
• The riel is only available inside Cambodia, so you won’t be able to convert your existing money before you arrive.
• ATM machines are easy to find in all major Cambodian cities. Most ATMS dispense US dollars and accept major credit and bank card networks such as Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus and UnionPay.
• ATM fees are fairly reasonable, with most banks charging $4-5 per transaction for international cardholders.
• US dollars are widely available and accepted in Cambodia. Most ATMs throughout the country will dispense dollars instead of riel.
• A downside of Cambodian ATMs is that they almost always dispense large denomination bills – if you withdraw $200, expect to get two $100 notes. You can avoid this by withdrawing money in multiples of $10 or $20, such as $290, which will force the ATM to provide smaller notes.
• Credit cards are widely accepted by mid-sized and large hotels, as well as international chain businesses. You’ll also be able to pay for most high-end café and restaurant meals using your credit card. For smaller, local businesses, transactions are usually cash only. Contactless payments are beginning to be seen in Cambodia.
• In the western parts of Cambodia close to the Thai border, Thai baht is often accepted. This is also true for areas close to Vietnam, where many merchants will happily accept dong and offer change in Cambodian riel.

The Best Time To Visit Cambodia

Cambodia’s tropical climate creates distinct wet and dry seasons. Generally, the dry season (November to May) is the most preferred, with the so-called ”cool“ dry season (November to February) being particularly popular. The lower humidity and milder temperatures make for a more comfortable experience. This does also mean that prices will be higher at these times.

Conversely, the hotter and wetter times of year are more affordable for budget travellers. March to May has significantly higher temperatures, which can make getting around a challenge. The wet season, from June to October, brings regular afternoon downpours, but also fewer tourists and lush natural landscapes.

Use your tolerance for different types of climate and your available budget to decide which of these three main times of year to travel.

Planning What To Do And Where To Go In Cambodia

Guidebooks and online info: Cambodia is a big country with a lot to see. See the Travel Happy 1 week Cambodia itinerary and 2 week Cambodia itinerary for a sense of the major areas. For more detailed info, a guidebook like Lonely Planet Cambodia is still the easiest way to quickly get the specifics on each area.